On Thursday, ESPN announced the schedule for the 2008 World Series of Poker, a lineup that includes a change to the final table date. In addition to six bracelet events, viewers will be able to watch a record 20 hours of the WSOP main event. For the second consecutive year, ESPN will provide a total of 32 hours of WSOP coverage. It will start July 22 and end Nov. 11. All episodes will air Tuesday night.
The major change comes with the completion of the final table. Typically, the final table is played after a day off when the field reaches nine players. The 2008 WSOP main event will be delayed until Nov. 9 and 10 instead of the originally scheduled date of July 16.
This change did not come without discussion by all involved parties. The news release stated, "The innovative change -- offering fans an enhanced way of following the excitement and drama of high-stakes tournament play -- was made in collaboration between the WSOP, ESPN and the WSOP Players Advisory Council."
The nine players will return to Las Vegas for the final table on Nov. 9 and play down to two players. The heads-up match will occur "late in the evening" Nov. 10, and the champion will be crowned sometime in the early hours of Nov. 11.
Those watching the shows on TV will see no difference, as the typical two-hour final table finale will be seen in its usual format, being broadcast at 9 p.m. on Nov. 11.
"It's an exciting time for the World Series of Poker and ESPN," said Jamie Horowitz, senior producer, ESPN content development. "This adjustment will add a new element to a very successful and popular event. We look forward to documenting all of the exciting stories that make the main event the seminal competition in all of poker."
Added Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker: "Our intent is to provide an even stronger tournament for all poker players and the entire poker industry. Now fans will ask 'who will win' our coveted championship bracelet and millions of dollars instead of 'Who won?' The excitement and interest that will surround our final nine players will be unprecedented."
Phil Ellsworth/ESPN
Horowitz also noted that changes of this type have been made before in the sports arena: "Just like when baseball added the wild card or NASCAR added the Chase for the Championship, this change to the World Series of Poker has the potential to bring new excitement and drama to an already successful competition."
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ESPN - ESPN announces 2008 WSOP TV schedule and final table date change - Poker